uncommon occurrence for those "seekin' 'ligion" to lie in a state of
unconsciousness for several hours, and, on their return to
consciousness, to relate the most wonderful experiences of what had
happened to them while in the trance. Aunt Ceely lay as if she were
dead, and two of the Christian men (for no sinner must touch her at this
critical period) bore her to her cabin, followed by the "chu'ch
membahs," who would continue their singing and praying until she "come
thu," even if the trance should last all night. The children returned to
the house without Mammy, for she was with the procession which had
followed Aunt Ceely; and as they reached the yard, they met their father
returning from the lot.

"Papa," called Dumps, "we're goin' ter have awful troubles hyear."

"How, my little daughter?" asked her father.

"The Lord's goin' ter sen' s'ords an' famines, an' they'll eat up all
the young men, an' ev'ybody's sons an' daughters," she replied,
earnestly. "Uncle Dan'l said so in meetin'; an' all the folks was
screamin' an' shoutin', an' Aunt Ceely is in a trance 'bout it, an' she
ain't come thu yet."

[Illustration: "MONAH'S 'PUN TOP ER MONAHS."]

Major Waldron was annoyed that his children should have witnessed any
such scene, for they were all very much excited and frightened at the
fearful fate that they felt was approaching them; so he took them into
his library, and explained the meaning of the terms "swords and
famines," and read to them the whole chapter, explaining how the prophet
referred only to the calamities that should befall the Hebrews; but,